Gate-latch.



PATENTED MAY 23, 1905. W.-E. JONES..

GATB LATGH. APPI 'JIOLTION FILED APB.20,1904.

Invenkor;

Httomegs 'UNITED STATES Patehteol May 23, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

GATE-LATCH.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 790,637, dated May 23, 1905.

Application filed April 20, 1904. Serial No. 204,118.

TO ZZ'w/wnt ziv' nea/,y concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM ERVIN J oNEs, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Ellisville, in the county of Jones and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Gate- Latch, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gate-latches, and has for its object to simplify and improve the construction and produce an inexpensive and eflicient device of this character which may be applied to any form of swinging gate and will efectually and automatically lock the same when the gate is closed. v

With these and other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in certain novel features of construction, as hereafter more fully described and claimed.

In the aeco'mpanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which corresponding parts are denoted by like designating characters, is illustrated the preferred form of the embodiment of the invention capable of carrying the same into practical operation, it being 'understood that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, as various changes in the shape, proportions, and general assemblage of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is therefore reserved of making all the changes and modifications which fairly fall Within the scope of the invention' and the claims made therefor.

In the drawings thus employed, Figure 1 is a view of a gate and portions of the adjacent fence with the improved latch applied. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the latch with the lock-bar in section.

The improved device comprises a stationary base member 10 for rigid attachment, as by screw 11, to the post 12, against which the moving end of the gate 13 swings, the free end of the member 10 extending in advance of the post and curving upwardly and outwardly, as at 14:.

Pivoted at 15 to the base member 10 is a Inovable member 16, having at one end a hook 17, extending upwardly toward the curved portion 14: and terminating beneath it and inclined, as at 18, in advance of the hook. The ends of the member 16 terminate in fingergrips 19 and 19.

A bar 20 is provided for attachment to the gate 13 and protruding therefrom to engage the inclined portion 18 of the member 16 to depress the same and pass behind the hook 17 as the gate is closed. The action is thus wholly automatic, as 'the gate closes by gravity or is forcibly actuated, the two portions 14 and 18 coacting to engage the member 20 as the gate is closed and effectually retain it between them until released by depressing the hook by elevating the rear end -of the member 16 by operating one of the fingergrips 19 198.

Spaced stops 21 22 are disposed upon the member 10 to limit the movement of the member 16 in both directions and prevent it from being overbalanced in eitherdirection.

The parts will preferably be of malleable iron or steel and of a size to withstancl the strains to Which they Will be subjected.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is-' In a device of the class described, a stationary member adapted for attachment to a gatepost, said member having an upwardly and outwardly curved engaging end and laterallyextending stops, and a latch member pivotally Connected With said stationary member, between the stops, and having terminal fingerpieces and an intermediate hook adapted for coaction with the engaging end of the stationary member, said hook having a sloping upper edge and an abrupt engaging shoulder` in combination with a latch-bar rigidly attached to said gate adapted to engage the hooked end of the pivoted member to tilt the latter. .i

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM ERVIN JONES.

' Witnesses:

W. H. BUFKIN, R. L. GARIcH. 

